June 02, 2014: Four Armée de l'Air Rafale fighters will square off against Indian fighters, including Su-30MKIs, MiG-27s and MiG-21s over the Thar Desert in Garuda-5, the fifth iteration of the high-level India-France joint combat air engagement that kicks off on June 3. The exercise is to be the first inaugurated and witnessed by India's new defence minister Arun Jaitley. The chiefs of the IAF and Armée de l'Air will be in Jodhpur in the course of the exercise to fly the Su-30MKI and Rafale respectively. While this is by no means the first time that the Rafale has visited India, its presence in Indian airspace is a powerful reminder of the hopes the IAF has from the new Modi government that crucial requirements will be met swiftly. The M-MRCA deal has coasted for nearly seven years since the release of the RfP, with the IAF now desperate to stem dwindling squadron strength. IAF chief Arup Raha is also expected to make a formal presentation to the new MoD leadership on priority requirements in the force. But out at Jodhpur, the IAF and Armée de l'Air will square off in a series of mixed tactical maneouvers that will see French pilots fly the Su-30MKI and Indian pilots get behind the stick on the Rafale.